The Cheesecake Factory is a chain of about 150 restaurants with an expansive menu including over 200 meal options. They also offer around 50 different desserts, and most are naturally cheesecake varieties. All of their meals offer very large and high calorie portions. Most are very good, especially when you consider the diversity and expansiveness of their menu.
This past Saturday, I visited the location at the International Plaza in Tampa, and had a dinning experience very similar to my other visits at this location. This night, like all other Fridays and Saturdays at dinner time, we waited about an hour in their super crowded entrance and waiting area. This area had an abundance of loud adults and rambunctious under-supervised small children.
Once seated, we received a small table very near other tables. The table proximity and clientele at this location lends to a very loud atmosphere. This may be a good or bad thing, depending on the loudness of your party and what sort of experience you want. The waitstaff was, as usual, above average and very fast. The food was prepared and served quickly, but we were never rushed. I ordered the Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta, and was served enough food for dinner that night and lunch the following day.
Overall, The Cheesecake is a great place to have dinner if you are not on a strict caloric diet, don’t mind waiting, and don’t mind loud people and roudy children. Also of note, they don’t take reservations and parking can be tricky, but they do have a $6 plus tip valet service.
Overall: 4.0 / 5
Food: 4.0 / 5
Service: 4.0 / 5
Ambiance: 2.5 / 5
Price: $20+ / person